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The Best Highlights of the Africa Cup of Nations 2017

“Some people think football is a matter of life and death.
I assure you, it's much more serious than that.”
- Bill Shankly, one of the most successful Liverpool Football Club managers

Africa has long been renowned for its various different traditions, cultures, vibrancy and languages. One of the continent’s most popular events is the Africa Cup of Nations biennial football tournament, with year’s event held in Gabon, a coastal country in central Africa. The football competition was another huge success, drawing the best African footballers from leagues all over the world. Africans love their football. From street football played by youngsters, to wearing the colors of their nation out on the field in tournaments such as this. So how did the Africa Cup of Nations all begin?

This tournament, officially known as CAN (that’s French: Coupe d’Afrique des Nations), is organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF, for short). This was the 31st tournament and has a history that dates back to the very first competition, held in 1957. Back then, only 3 nations competed: Sudan, Egypt, and Ethiopia (South Africa were scheduled to participate but later excluded because of their government’s continuing policies of arpatheid). From then on, the tournament grew into 16 teams, with 4 groups of 4, then reduced to a “knockout”-based competition. Egypt is the most successful of all the African teams that qualify to compete, having won the cup a record 7 times. In 2013, the tournament’s year was changed so as to not clash with the FIFA World Cup.

As a prelude to this remainder of this article, the Egyptian football team were not so fortunate this year, losing the final by 2-1 to... Ah, if you don’t know by who, you’ll have to read on... However, the aim of this article is to provide you with the very best moments of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations: the best players, the best goals, the best performances and the odd hilarious moment or two. In fact, by its end, you’ll be an expert. If you don’t follow African football, this will whet your appetite for good. Can you hear the referee blow his whistle and get this going? Yes, it’s time for kick-off...

Review of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations

As stated above, a total of 16 teams participated, drawn into 4 groups of 4, their ultimate positions as follows:

Here’s a little background on each team:

Gabon (the hosts)

Nicknames are "The Panthers" or "The Brazilians"

Gabon has sadly never qualified for the FIFA World Cup

They have, however, qualified an impressive 5 times for the Africa Cup of Nations

Burkina Faso

Previously known as the Upper Volta team, before the country changed its name

Their best result was actually reaching the final in 2013

Cameroon

Nicknamed "The Indomitable Lions"

Cameroon have qualified 7 times for the FIFA World Cup, a record for an African national team

They were the first African team to reach the quarter-finals in 1990, eventually succumbing to England in extra time

They have won the Africa Cup of Nations on 4 separate occasions: 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982

Mali

Known as “The Eagles”

They have never having qualified for the FIFA World Cup

Uganda

Known as “The Cranes”

Their best success was reaching the Africa Cup of Nations Finals in 1978

Knock-Out Stage Results

Cameroon were the winners of the Africa Cup of Nations 2017 tournament, their 5th time as champions!

So Why Was the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations Held in Gabon?

Back in 2014, it was reported by Reuters that Libya, who had previously been awarded the right to host the football tournament, was stripped of its permission to do so. They were unable to host the tournament because of daily ongoing fighting, and the country’s inability to build the necessary tournament stadium. CAF had little option to invite new host invitations to all its member nations. Gabon was officially declared as hosts the following year, beating off other bids from Ghana and Algeria.

The Cup’s Qualification Process

Clearly, Africa is a huge continent, the 2nd largest in the world, comprising of a total of 54 recognized states (all member countries of the African Union - the A.U.), 10 territories (who are governed or owned by non-African countries), and 2 “de facto” states (who are not recognized at all by the A.U.). Therefore, the Africa Cup of Nations, due to its popularity - a total of 52 teams entered the competition for this year - first needs a qualification tournament. It is that tournament which finds the 16 to play in the Cup proper. Please refer back to the Group Stage part of this article for the full list of those who made it to the finals in Gabon.

The Top Moments from the Tournament

So, now it’s time for the best moments from this year’s Africa Cup of Nations. And what better place to start than this?

The Best 10 Goals: Watch the goal celebrations and enjoy the very best goals from this year’s tournament.

The Best Match: Highlights of the final game of the tournament: Egypt vs. Cameroon

The Best Goalkeeping Saves

The Best Player: At the end of the tournament, a few other awards were handed out, as well as the trophy itself. Top Man of the Tournament went to Christian Bassogog, aged just 21. Currently playing for AaB in Denmark, the tricky winger will have no shortage of bigger clubs following his undoubted progress. Other awards included: Top Scorer, which was Junior Kabananga, scoring 3, and Egypt won the Fair Play prize (awarded to the team with the least number of red and yellow cards issued against them during the tournament).

Interesting Facts

So Where Exactly Were Nigeria and South Africa?
Presumably, watching the tournament at home... Both failed to qualify. Indeed, in recent years, both teams have had a succession of issues - both on and off the football pitch. Two of the richest nations in the continent, both failed to qualify for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations. What the future holds for these 2 once great African football nations seems to be totally up in the air...

Africa Cup Website Hacked
Hackers based in Russia, calling themselves the “New World Hackers” claimed responsibility for downing the official Africa Cup of Nations website (www.CAFonline.com) for several hours on Saturday, January 21st of this year. Apparently, this was their protest at allowing the tournament to be held in Gabon, a country they say is a dictatorship, run by President Obi Bongo Ondimba, following violent and rigged elections last year.

The Future of African Football

African football, because of the growing global popularity of the Africa Cup of Nations and some excellent team performances in recent FIFA World Cups, continues to go from strength to strength. This article has highlighted its origins, its growth, its undoubted display of talent, and the highlights of this year’s tournament. So what does the future hold? Personally, this writer is already looking forward to the next tournament, to be held in Cameroon (home country of the current title holders) in 2019. Africa’s rise in status as serious representatives in the next FIFA World Cup will also continue, no doubt. For sure, its future is vibrant as the continent is itself.

If you have any personal comments or highlights from this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, please feel free to post a comment below. Oh, and don’t forget – you are never too old or too young for a “kickabout” with your friends and neighbours.

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